Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Michael Best
Not Peer Reviewed

King Lear (Modern, Quarto)

505[Scene 3]
Enter Goneril and [Oswald, her] gentleman.
Goneril
Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool?
Oswald
Yes, madam.
510Goneril
By day and night he wrongs me. Every hour
He flashes into one gross crime or other
That sets us all at odds. I'll not endure it.
His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us
On every trifle. When he returns from hunting
515I will not speak with him. Say I am sick.
If you come slack of former services
You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer.
[Hunting horns within]
Oswald
He's coming madam. I hear him.
Goneril
Put on what weary negligence you please,
520You and your fellow servants. I'd have it come in question.
If he dislike it, let him to our sister,
Whose mind and mine I know in that are one,
522.1Not to be overruled. Idle old man
That still would manage those authorities
That he hath given away. Now, by my life,
Old fools are babes again, and must be used
With checks as flatteries when they are seen abused.
Remember what I tell you.
Oswald
Very well, madam.
525Goneril
And let his knights have colder looks among you. What grows of it, no matter. Advise your fellows so. I would breed 526.1from hence occasions, and I shall, that I may speak. I'll write straight to my sister to hold my very course. Go prepare for dinner.
Exeunt [separately].